Over 39K birds, 75 species spotted in Thamirabarani bird count

MADURAI: As many as 39,231 birds belonging to 75 species of local and migratory varieties were recorded in the ninth edition of Thamirabarani Waterbird Count (TWC) that concluded on January 29. The number of species is the highest so far ever since the census began in 2011, three more than the previous highest of 72 species seen in 2014 when a record 67,194 birds were spotted.

The number of birds spotted this year is much less than the birds spotted in 2014, but the highest in the last five years and 5,042 more than the number of birds spotted last year. Among the species spotted for the first time were painted snipe (five birds) and western reef heron (two birds), both migratory birds from within India. For the first time, flamingos were spotted in Gangaikondan tank on the Madurai - Tirunelveli NH. “We spotted 90 flamingos in Gangaikondan tank. Usually, the tall pinkish bird is spotted in Koonthankulam and Vijayanarayanam tanks that are 25 kms and 45 kms away from the city,” coordinator of TWC, M Mathivanan told TOI.

Among other interesting aspects of the water bird count this year is the spotting of breeding in Gangaikondan and Soorankudi tanks. “This is an encouraging sign as it will increase the bird population in these tanks and spread to adjoining tanks. Koonthankulam, Vagaikulam and Thirupudaimaruthur tanks are the usual breeding spots,” he said. Migratory birds like northern pintail, garganey, northern shovellers, common teal, bar-headed geese, black-tailed godwit, caspian tern and wooly-necked stork were spotted in the census. Duck species were spotted more in number (20,142), followed by water hens (4,549), egrets (3,791) and cormorants (3,142).

Northern pintail duck from Northern Europe was the most abundant duck species with 7,340 birds, followed by lesser whistling duck (3,642) and garganey (3,525). More birds were spotted in Vellur tank (4,433), followed by Thenkarai (3,420), Caspa (3,410) and Kadambakulam (3,065). Kadambakulam housed the widest range of species (52), followed by Arumugamangalam (45) and Vellur (40) species.

Of the 44 tanks covered in the survey, only 12 were from Tuticorin district. “But we spotted 26,465 birds (67.5%) in Tuticorin. Only 12,766 birds were spotted in the remaining 32 tanks where the survey was conducted in Tirunelveli district. Tanks in Srivaikuntam region in Tuticorin district attracted the largest number of migratory birds than any other tank in Thamirabarani river basin. Over the years, close to 70% birds were recorded in the Kadambakulam, Vellur, Caspa, Arumugamangalam, Thenkarai Kulam, Perungulam and Puthukudi Sunai tanks in Srivaikuntam region. “These tanks are very important habitats for water birds,” he said and added that sadly there was no bird sanctuary or sustained effort to conserve the winged species and promote birding in the district.

The 9th edition was conducted by ATREE’s Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre, Manimuthar, along with the district science centre in Tirunelveli, Pearl City Nature Society in Tuticorin, and Nellai Nature Club in Tirunelveli in coordination with Tirunelveli division of the forest department. Over 120 volunteers including students, businessmen, farmers and teachers participated in the count. They were divided into six teams with two bird experts leading each team. The exercise is aimed at bringing the attention of citizens to Thamirabarani wetlands.

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